8 Ways to Fix the Emergency Calls Only Error on Android

Has your Android phone been displaying the dreaded “emergency calls only” error message? This means you can’t make or receive any normal calls or text messages, which can be incredibly frustrating. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll outline 8 different troubleshooting tips to fix the emergency calls only error on your Android device. From restarting your phone, checking for SIM card issues, resetting network settings, and contacting your carrier, one of these solutions should get your phone connecting properly again.

1. Restart Your Phone

Simply turning your phone off and back on can often resolve temporary software glitches causing the emergency calls only error.

Here is how to restart your Android phone:

1. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds until the phone turns off.

2. Wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to restart the phone.

3. Once the phone has fully rebooted, try making a call or sending a text message.

A basic restart can fix minor glitches and errors in the system that may be preventing calls or texts.

2. Check for SIM Card Issues

Make sure your SIM card is properly inserted and free of any visible damage.

Follow these steps to inspect your SIM card:

1. Locate the SIM card slot on your phone. It is usually on the side or bottom edge.

2. Carefully eject the SIM tray using the small pin tool that came with your phone.

3. Remove the SIM card and check that it is not damaged, scratched, or bent.

4. Clean the SIM contacts with a bit of rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth.

5. Reinsert the SIM card into the tray and push the tray back into the SIM slot.

Damaged, dirty, or improperly inserted SIM cards are a common cause of the emergency calls only error. Reinserting it can resolve connection issues.

3. Toggle Airplane Mode On/Off

Switch on Airplane mode for 30 seconds, then turn it off again to force the cellular radios to reestablish connections to the network.

Here are the steps to toggle Airplane mode:

1. Open the control center on your Android phone.

2. Tap Airplane mode to enable it.

3. Wait 30 seconds with Airplane mode turned on.

4. Open the control center again and disable Airplane mode.

5. Try making a test call or sending a text to confirm cellular service is working again.

This forces the phone to refresh all network connections which could resolve any software issues.

4. Wipe Cache Partition

Wiping the cache partition can clear out corrupted data and software bugs that may be causing the emergency calls only error.

To wipe the cache partition:

1. Power off your Android phone completely.

2. Press and hold the Power + Volume Down buttons together until you see the recovery menu.

3. Use the volume buttons to scroll to "Wipe cache partition" and power button to select it.

4. Confirm the wiping process. It should only take a few seconds.

5. Choose "Reboot system now" to restart your phone.

Wiping the cache can fix issues caused by glitches and temporary software files.

5. Reset Network Settings

If Reset Network Settings then this will refresh all network connections including Wi-Fi, cellular data, and Bluetooth.

The steps to reset network settings are:

1. Go to Settings > General Management.

2. Tap Reset.

3. Choose Reset Network Settings.

4. Confirm that you want to reset all network settings.

5. Wait a few minutes for the reset to complete.

6. Try making a call or sending a text to confirm connectivity is restored.

Any issues with these connections will be wiped and reset, which could resolve the calls and text error.

6. Factory Reset Your Device

If all else fails, a factory reset will wipe your device completely and restore original software and settings. This should eliminate any software bugs causing the issue.

Before resetting, make sure to backup important data. Then follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > General Management.

2. Choose Reset > Factory Data Reset

3. Tap Reset Phone and then Erase Everything to confirm.

4. Wait patiently while the reset process completes. This can take 10+ minutes.

5. Set up your device again from scratch. Be sure to update to the latest software.

6. Test calls and messaging to see if doing a factory reset fixed the problem.

A full factory reset will wipe out any problematic software causing the emergency calls only error. Just know it will delete all your data and apps in the process.

7. Check for Carrier Outages

Contact your carrier to see if there are any known network outages in your area that could be affecting service and causing the emergency calls only problem. Some carriers have network status pages online you can check.

To check for outages:

• Call your cell provider's customer service number and ask if there are any interruptions in your location.

• Check their official website or social media pages for network status updates.

• Try connecting to Wi-Fi and making calls over Wi-Fi calling or apps like WhatsApp.

Temporary carrier outages do occur and could explain the inability to make calls or send texts.

8. Contact Your Carrier for a New SIM Card

Damaged or faulty SIM cards themselves can be the reason you see the emergency calls only error. If other troubleshooting steps don't work, contact your cell provider for a replacement SIM card.

Here's how to get a new SIM card:

• Call or chat with your carrier's customer support.

• Explain that you are getting the "emergency calls only" error.

• Request that they mail you a brand new SIM card.

• Once you receive it, activate the new SIM card.

• Insert the new SIM and restart your device.

Installing a new SIM will rule out any problems with the card itself and potentially fix the problem.

Wrap Up: Fix the Emergency Calls Only Error on Android

In conclusion, the emergency calls only error on Android can often be fixed by troubleshooting your SIM card, resetting network connections, or contacting your carrier. While the issue may require some patience, methodically working through restarting your device, checking for outages, wiping the cache partition, or performing a factory reset should resolve the problem. Don’t hesitate to request a new SIM card if needed. With the right combination of resets, wipes, and refreshes, you should be able to get full calling and texting functionality restored on your Android phone.

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